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Age no obstacle as Broncos stockpile CBs to plug leaks

Broncos cornerbacks Champ Bailey, left, and Drayton Florence are two of the proven veterans the team is relying on to keep opposing offenses from spreading them out and attacking them as they did in 2011. (The Denver Post, Eric Lutzens)

Age is just a number, but for those assembling defenses in the NFL, a higher number usually is not wanted at cornerback.

Yet for the fifth consecutive season — since Champ Bailey turned the big 3-oh in 2008 — the Broncos will shove aside conventional wisdom in their secondary.

"That's true," Broncos cornerback Drayton Florence said. "People want experience at quarterback. They want it in the defensive line. They want experience all over. But at cornerback? Not really."

The Broncos started two cornerbacks 30 or older in 2008, 2009, 2010 and for much of last season, a combination of Bailey, Dré Bly and André Goodman. The Broncos are OK going old this fall too, with the team set to start Bailey at his customary left cornerback spot with the 31-year-old Florence competing with 25-year-old Tracy Porter for the right cornerback spot.

"It's not common to have a couple of guys out there (over 30) at corner," Bailey said. "But it can work with the right guys. I don't think there are any others like me. There's not many like (Goodman), not many like Drayton. You've got to give those guys some credit — playing this position at a high level for 10 years, that's tough."

There may not be two positions more cruel to veteran players in the NFL than cornerback and running back. But the Broncos, in search of a solution to a string of offenses that spread out their defense and punished it with both the running and passing game last season, made the secondary a priority in the offseason.

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They made proven players, with a track record, the focus of the search. Porter has been a starter for much of his five seasons in the league, while Florence has started for three different teams and can play both outside and in the slot when the team goes with a five-defensive back look.

"We did look at some veteran guys to go with Champ, but some guys are just different that way," Broncos coach John Fox said. "(Hall of Famer) Darrell Green played forever and still ran 4.3. Some guys just have that. And anytime you get to double digits (in seasons) in this league, it's a huge accomplishment, especially at corner.

"But we looked at players who have performed at a high level, and we got them in here to help us where we needed it."

Denver also added safety Mike Adams, a 31-year-old heading into his ninth season. But the linchpin to it all is Bailey, who will turn 34 next month. Even as the Broncos' defense surrendered at least 300 yards passing six times in the regular season a year ago, as well as Tom Brady's six-touchdown performance in the season-ending playoff loss, Bailey still made his 11th Pro Bowl. That run included repeated one-on-one matchups all over the field with many of the league's more high-profile receivers.

"You just take care of your body, keep that confidence," Bailey said. "Just keep your game strong. I'm always open to looking at things that might help me. But when I first came in, I didn't think I'd still be going into my 14th year. Back then, I just wanted to start. But then I got up around nine or 10 (years) and just got to the point where I didn't think about how long it was.

"I always say if I'm healthy, I'll keep playing."

Florence, who started one season for Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio when both were in Jacksonville, agreed that a commitment to preparation and some good fortune are keys to extending a career at the position.

That, and the ability to run faster than almost every other 30-something on the planet.

"Being healthy, taking care of my body, get the massages, the chiropractor, whatever you can do, because there are young guys coming in every year trying to take your job," Florence said. "But you've got to be able to match up. You've got to have that speed or they won't care how healthy you are. This league has a revolving door waiting for you if you can't run."

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